Problems

Solid waste generation in Pakistan ranges between 0.283 to 0.612 kg/capita/day and the waste generation growth rate is 2.4% per year. Solid domestic waste is typically dumped on low-lying land. This land could be used for more productive purposes and potentially valuable recyclable materials are lost.

The following are the main problems regarding solid waste management in Pakistan:

There is no proper waste collection system

Waste is dumped on the streets

Different types of waste are not collected separately

There are no controlled sanitary landfill sites

Citizens are not aware of the relationship between ways of disposing off waste and the resulting environmental and public health problems

Effects

The unavailability of proper disposal methods and resources for solid waste managing results in various environmental and human health hazard effects. Problems can spread over a wide area.

Health Hazards

Skin and eye infections are common

Dust in the air at dumpsites can cause breathing problems in children and adults

Mosquitoes transmit many types of diseases like malaria and yellow fever

Dogs, cats and rats living around refuse carry a variety of diseases including plague and flea born fever

Intestinal, parasitic and skin diseases are found in workers engaged in collecting refuse

Ground Water Pollution

The most serious problem is groundwater contamination. As water filters through any material, chemicals in the material may dissolve in the water, a process called leaching. The resulting mixture is called leachate. As water percolates through Muncipal Solid Waste, it makes a leachate that consists of decomposing organic matter combined with iron, mercury, lead, zinc, and other metals from rusting cans, discarded batteries and appliances. It may also contain paints, pesticides, cleaning fluids, newspaper inks, and other chemicals. Contaminated water can have a serious impact on all living creatures, including humans, in an ecosystem.

Air Pollution

When waste is burnt heavy metals like lead, toxic gases and smoke spreads over residential areas. The wind also carries waste, dust and gases caused by decomposition. Putrefaction of waste in sunlight during daytime results in bad smells and reduced visibility.

The Most Reliable Solution of Solid Waste Management

There is an urgent need to manage MSW from the time it is created to its safe disposal. The public and local municipal authorities need to work together. It is important to create awareness about the consequences of pollution so that people become conscious of the need to deal with this problem.

Legislation

Pakistan has responded to its environmental problems by developing laws, establishing government agencies and accepting technical assistance from donors, including the World Bank. Despite this, the response remains fragmented and environmental institutions, laws, and other initiatives do not solve the whole problem

Environmental legislation is still not well developed in Pakistan, especially in comparison to the developed world. For example, there are no National Quality Standards for SWM

Install Waste Disposal Facilities

Currently, individuals dispose of wastes by throwing away plastic bags, wrappers, fruit peels, cigarette butts, etc. in public places. Littering spreads pollution and ends up clogging drains and causing sanitation problems. This can be controlled by making roadside dustbins or proper disposal of waste at home

If proper waste management is practiced, this waste could be converted into useful products. There are three Rs practiced to manage the solid waste

Reduce

The best way to reduce waste is not to produce it in the first place. Everyone should try to reduce his/her consumption of goods as much as possible. For example, choose products with minimum packaging and instead of accepting plastic bags when shopping, use cloth bags.

Re-use

Items should not just be thrown away after use if they can be used again. Doing this result in a reduction in waste and better conservation of resources. Items, which can be re-used, include glass jars and bottles, and plastic bags.

Recycle

Recycling means creating new things from used items. Almost 20-30 percent of MSW contains materials which could be recycled. For instance:

Paper can be re-pulped and reprocessed into recycled paper, cardboard and other paper products

Broken glass can be crushed, re-melted and made into containers. Some forms of plastic can be re-melted and fabricated into carpet fiber or cloth

Food wastes and yard wastes can be composted to produce fertilizers and soil conditioners